Contents |
Description
Computer
The Philips VG-8230 is the first MSX2 computer released by the Dutch company Philips. According to the Philips newsletter it became available in 1-1-1986. Although it does not have a NMS machine type label, it does have New Media Systems written on the top in full print.
This computer comes with a built-in single-sided disk drive. An external disk drive can also be connected at the back of the machine (e.g. thePhilips VY-0011).
The keyboard angle is adjustable. The second cartridge slot on the back is by default closed with a cover, but can easily be used by removing the cover and screwing the supplied cartridge holder onto the computer.
It has only 64kB RAM, not 192kB as indicated on the machine and the box by adding the RAM to the VRAM amount. While 64kB MSX2 systems were common in Japan, this is one of the few European MSX2s with just 64kB of RAM, and as such lots of European MSX2 titles will not run on it without a RAM expansion.
Only one model, the VG-8230/00, was produced and sold in the Netherlands, where it was quickly replaced by theVG-8235 with more RAM (128kB). The VG-8230 has a QWERTY keyboard with £ key, which is unusual for Philips computers. However, there is also a prototype with a Japanese keyboard.
| Brand | Philips (Manufacturer: Kyocera) |
| Model | VG-8230 |
| Year | 1986-1-1 |
| Region | the Netherlands |
| Launch price | ƒ1949 |
| RAM | 64kB in slot 3-2 |
| VRAM | 128kB |
| Media | MSX cartridges, 1DD floppy disks |
| Video | YamahaV9938 |
| Audio | PSG (custom chip integrated in MSX-Engine S3527) |
| Chipset | Yamaha S3527 |
| Keyboard layout | QWERTY with a "£" key - prototype: QWERTY/JP50on |
| Extras | 360kB 3.5" floppy disk drive, external disk drive connector, reset button, software on disks (disk 1:MSX-DOS 1 - disk 2: MSX Home Office - MSX Designer) |
| Emulation | ROMs dumped and emulated |
Floppy disks
The computer was provided with two floppy disks:
- the first disk containsMSX-DOS1 with a text based menu driven interface
- the second disk contains bothMSX Home Office (Address Book + Word Processor) andMSX Designer, a drawing program in screen 8
Note: the MSX Designer version provided with the VG-8230 does not include a demo mode, like it's the case with later versions provided with other Philips MSX2 computers.
Pictures
Computer
Firmware
Boot Sequence
Software
MSX-DOS
MSX Home Office
MSX Designer
Specifications
The VG-8230 is a MSX2 with a Z80 from Zilog (Z8400APS) and the MSX-Engine S3527 from Yamaha.
The RAM is in slot 3-2. First cartridge slot is in front, second cartridge slot is in back.
Slot Map
| Slot 0 | Slot 1 | Slot 2 | Slot 3-0 | Slot 3-1 | Slot 3-2 | Slot 3-3 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Page C000h~FFFFh | Cartridge Slot 1 | Cartridge Slot 2 | 64kB Plain Ram | |||||||
| Page 8000h~BFFFh | ||||||||||
| Page 4000h~7FFFh | Main-ROM | Disk ROM | ||||||||
| Page 0000h~3FFFh | Sub-ROM |
Connections
- RF output
- 8-pin CVBS connector for monitor
- RGB output (SCART)
- External disk drive connector forPhilips VY-0011
- Data Recorder connector
- Centronics compatibleParallel port for a printer
- 2general connectors (Joysticks, Mice, Paddle controllers, etc)
- 2cartridge slots (one closed off by default)
External Links
- Philips VG-8230 on Generation-MSX
- 8230/00 Service Manual
- 8230/00 Repair Method - part 1
- 8230/00 Repair Method - part 2
- 2DD floppy disk drive upgrade
- User's Manual (Dutch)
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